March 6, 2019
Host: Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League
Guests:
Amy Snow-Buckner, Managing Director of Communications, City of Grand Rapids
Det. James Thorburn, Detective and Social Media Director, City of Allen Park
We’re unofficially changing the name of this podcast to Social Media, Huh? – just for today. We’re shifting the focus of the conversation a bit from politics to social media use among local governments. The League’s communications director, Matt Bach, is joined by avid social media user for the City of Grand Rapids – Amy Snow-Buckner – and City of Allen Park Police Det. James Thorburn. It’s a funny and light conversation about the power of social media for local governments, using humor in building an audience, and lessons learned along the way.
February 27, 2019
Host: Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League
Guest: Mike Bills, President, Owner & Founder, MB Strategies
On this edition of Economics of Place: The Podcast, Dan Gilmartin talks with Mike Bills, president, owner, and founder of MB Strategies. Mike is an expert on leadership, executive coaching, and strategic planning. He’s done a lot of work recently with the Michigan Municipal League. They talk about Mike’s work with the MML as well as his work in other organizations and in communities. Mike also explains the ever-changing role of leadership at the local government level.
February 14, 2019
Host: Matt Bach, Communications Director, Michigan Municipal League
Guests:
Chris Hackbarth, Director of State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
Deena Bosworth, Director of Governmental Affairs, Michigan Association of Counties
Tom Frazier, Legislative Liaison, Michigan Townships Association
On this episode of Michigan Politics, Huh? we sit down with the legislative advocates for the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Association of Counties, and Michigan Townships Association and discuss how these three organizations work together in fighting for their respective memberships. We talk about the power of numbers and how we’re able to get more things done when we work together.
February 4, 2019
Host: Lisa Donovan, Communications Specialist/Editor, Michigan Municipal League
Guest: Shanna Draheim, Director, Policy Development, Michigan Municipal League
Sustainability is a key issue for many Michigan communities. The Michigan Municipal League, along with our partner organization Michigan Green Communities, brings together local governments and university staff to collaboratively learn from each other about how to move sustainability forward and participate in the annual Michigan Green Communities Challenge. The League's Shanna Draheim shares some of the amazing environmental success stories from communities across the state.
January 23, 2019
Host: Anthony Minghine, Deputy Executive Director & COO, Michigan Municipal League
Guest: Anna Clark, author, The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy
Tony Minghine sits down with Detroit journalist Anna Clark, who was inspired to chronicle Flint's water tragedy in her new book, The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy. They talk about the people who caused the crisis, the people who suffered from it, and the people who ultimately exposed it.
January 16, 2019
Host: Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League
Guests:
Clyde Robinson, City Attorney, City of Kalamazoo
Christopher Johnson, General Counsel, Michigan Municipal League
Jennifer Rigterink, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League
Recreational marijuana is now legal in Michigan. Understandably, many people have questions about how that will impact their community. Matt Bach sits down with two attorneys to learn about the legal side of the equation. Then he chats with the League's legislative associate about the logistics for municipalities.
January 11, 2019
Host: Lisa Donovan, Communications Specialist/Editor, Michigan Municipal League
Guests: Municipal leaders from Muskegon, Owosso, and Saginaw
Innovative projects from the cities of Muskegon, Owosso, and Saginaw were in the running for the League's 2018 Community Excellence Award. Learn how these communities brought new life to their downtown through the unique development of retail, office, and community space. Read more about each project on the Community Excellence Award website and in The Review magazine: Muskegon (Jan/Feb 2019), Owosso (March/April 2019), and Saginaw (May/June 2019).
December 19, 2018
Host: Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League
Guests:
Chris Hackbarth, Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
John LaMacchia, Asst. Director, State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
Jennifer Rigterink, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League
Activity was fast and furious during the Michigan Legislature's 2018 Lame Duck session. Matt Bach sits down with our Lansing team on our latest Monday Morning Live broadcast to try to corral some of the issues, find out which bills made it through to approval, and look ahead to the Legislature's new session. Tune in to Facebook for the next Monday Morning Live, Jan. 7, 10:30 am.
December 13, 2018
Host: Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League
Guest: Patrice Frey, President & CEO, National Main Street Center
Helping bring life back to downtowns has been the mission of the National Main Street Center for the past 40 years. Patrice Frey, the organization's president and CEO, sits down with Dan Gilmartin to discuss the successful 4-point process they've developed that helps cities identify their vision and assets and gets community members involved in moving a revitalization plan forward. She also talks about the effect of globalism on downtowns and how communities can use it to develop a more robust entrepreneurial landscape.
December 5, 2018
Host: Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League
Guest: State Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Township)
The Michigan Municipal League’s Matt Bach sits down with State Rep. Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township, at a coffee shop in downtown Allegan. They cover everything from revenue sharing to auto insurance. They even get into the power of drag racing and the flute! It’s a fun, informal chat.
